Lower Burrell Officer Killed In Shooting, Suspected Gunman Dead

The shooting happened on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011 around 7 p.m. outside of the Dairy Queen on Greensburg Road.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Courtesy: Lower Burrell Police Department)

The fallen police officer is identified as Officer Derek Kotecki with the Lower Burrell Police Department in Westmoreland County.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Courtesy: Lower Burrell Police Department)

He was a K-9 handler with the department.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Courtesy: Lower Burrell Police Department)

The suspected gunman has been identified as Charles Post. He also died at the scene.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Officials say Post was wanted on charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Officials say they tracked Post to the restaurant where they found him in a white jeep.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

"They received information that he would be here at the Dairy Queen in Lower Burrell, and New Kensington as well as Lower Burrell police officers proceeded there. As they approached this white jeep that’s parked in the parking lot of the Dairy Queen, he fired at Officer Kotecki and struck him.” -- John Peck, the Westmoreland County District Attorney

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Crews remove the white jeep from the scene after the shooting.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

“Please pray for the Kotecki family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them. I know I’m devastated by this. Derek was a great, great police officer and he will be sadly missed by our community, by all of our department.” -- said Chief Tracy Lindo, of the Lower Burrell Police Department

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Officer Kotecki was an 18-year veteran of the police force.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

“I knew Derek pretty well and Derek was a very fine officer. He’s going to be greatly missed by his family and the community." --Ronald Hopkins, the retired chief of the Arnold Police Department.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Officers gathered at the scene to offer support to the Lower Burrell Police Department.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

The flags outside of the Lower Burrell Police Station flew at half-staff the day after the shooting as people across the area mourned the loss of Officer Kotecki.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

In the daylight, a forensic photographer took pictures of the ice cream stand turned scene of a tragedy.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

The Dairy Queen is also paying tribute to Officer Kotecki.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: Brenda Waters/KDKA)

A procession escorts the body of the fallen officer from Westmoreland County to Allegheny County where an autopsy will be performed.

Lower Burrell Police Officer Fatally Shot

(Photo Credit: Brenda Waters/KDKA)

A procession escorts the body of the fallen officer from Westmoreland County to Allegheny County where an autopsy will be performed.